Fiber optic network architecture with parallel indexed and non-indexed fiber paths

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic network including a plurality of fiber distribution components daisy chained together to form a chain of fiber distribution components, the chain of fiber distribution components having a first set of optical fiber paths that are indexed along a length of the chain and a second set of optical fiber paths that are not indexed along a length of the chain.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is being filed on Nov. 1, 2017 as a PCT InternationalPatent Application and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/416,691, filed on Nov. 2, 2016, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to fiber optic communicationsnetworks. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to networkarchitectures for fiber optic communications networks.

BACKGROUND

Optical networks are becoming increasingly more prevalent in partbecause service providers want to deliver high bandwidth communicationcapabilities to customers. There is a need for advanced fiber opticnetwork architectures for more effectively and efficiently extendingfiber optic networks to an ever increasing number of customers.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a fiber optic networkarchitecture including a plurality of fiber distribution componentsdaisy chained together to form a chain of fiber distribution components.The chain of fiber distribution components has a first set of opticalfiber paths that are indexed along a length of the chain and a secondset of optical fiber paths that are not indexed along a length of thechain.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the descriptionthat follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and tocombinations of features. It is to be understood that both the forgoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad concepts uponwhich the examples disclosed herein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a fiber optic network architecture having a pluralityof fiber distribution components daisy chained together to form a chainof fiber distribution components, chain of fiber distribution componentshas a first set of optical fiber paths that are indexed along a lengthof the chain and a second set of optical fiber paths that are notindexed along a length of the chain;

FIG. 2 shows the fiber optic architecture of FIG. 1 with an indexingterminal coupled to the non-indexed set of optical fiber paths;

FIG. 3 shows the fiber optic network architecture of FIG. 1 with twoindexing terminals coupled to the non-indexed set of optical fiberpaths;

FIG. 4 illustrates the fiber optic network architecture of FIG. 1 withthree custom, non-indexing terminals coupled to the non-indexing set ofoptical fiber paths;

FIG. 5 illustrates the fiber optic network architecture of FIG. 1 withthree indexing terminals coupled to the non-indexing set of opticalfiber paths;

FIG. 6 illustrates the fiber optic network architecture of FIG. 1 withtwo indexing terminals coupled directly to the non-indexing opticalfiber paths and a third terminal optically connected to certain ones ofthe non-indexed optical fiber paths via reverse indexing paths of thechain;

FIG. 7 schematically depicts one of the daisy chained fiber distributioncomponents of the fiber optic network architecture of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example splitter terminal adapted to be opticallycoupled to one of the drop ports of the chain of fiber distributioncomponents;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example configuration for an indexing terminaladapted to be coupled to a plurality of the non-indexed optical fiberpaths of the chain of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 illustrates a custom terminal adapted to be optically coupled toselected optical fiber paths of the non-indexed optical fiber paths ofthe daisy chain of the fiber optic network of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 illustrates another custom terminal adapted to be coupled toselected optical fiber paths of the non-indexed fiber paths of the daisychain of the fiber optic network of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 illustrates still another custom terminal adapted to beoptically coupled to selected optical fiber paths of the non-indexedfiber paths of the daisy chain of the fiber optic network of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 illustrates an example loop-back apparatus for use with thenetwork architecture of FIG. 1, the loop-back apparatus has patchingcapabilities;

FIG. 14 shows another loop-back apparatus adapted for use with thenetwork architecture of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 illustrates still another loop-back apparatus adapted for usewith the network architecture of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 illustrates a further loop-back apparatus adapted for use withthe network architecture of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 17 illustrates still another loop-back apparatus adapted for usewith the network architecture of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, a ruggedized fiber optic connector is a fiber opticconnector that more robustly designed than a traditional indoor fiberoptic connector such as an SC style fiber optic connector or an LC stylefiber optic connector. Ruggedized fiber optic connectors are typicallysuitable for outdoor use. Ruggedized fiber optic connectors can includesingle-fiber fiber optic connectors and multi-fiber fiber opticconnectors. Ruggedized multi-fiber optic connectors can be referred toas HMFOC connectors (e.g., hardened multi-fiber fiber optic connectors).Certain ruggedized fiber optic connectors in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure are designed to be capable ofwithstanding pull-out loads greater than 25 lbs. or greater than 50 lbs.when secured to corresponding ruggedized fiber optic connectors or whensecured within corresponding ruggedized fiber optic connector ports.Certain ruggedized fiber optic connectors in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure can include rotatable (i.e.,twist-to-lock) coupling element (i.e., couplers, fasteners, sleeves,collars, retainers, etc.) for securing the ruggedized connectors withintheir corresponding connector ports or for securing the ruggedizedconnectors to corresponding ruggedized connectors. Example rotatablecoupling elements include threaded elements (e.g., threaded nuts,threaded sleeves, etc.) and bayonet-style elements. Certain ruggedizedconnectors may also include snap-fit coupling elements and sliding lockclips that function as coupling elements. Ruggedized fiber opticconnectors in accordance with the principles of the present disclosurecan also include seals for sealing with their respective connector portsor for sealing between respective ruggedized male and female fiber opticconnectors when such fiber optic connectors are coupled together.

As used herein, demateable fiber optic connection locations ofteninclude ferrules supporting optical fibers. The ferrules can includesingle-fiber ferrules (e.g., cylindrical ferrules such as LC or SCferrules) for supporting optical fibers corresponding to single-fiberoptical connectors. Multi-fiber demateable fiber optic connectionlocations within the principles of the present disclosure can alsoinclude multi-fiber ferrules for supporting a plurality of opticalfibers. Example multi-fiber fiber optic ferrules include 12 fiberferrules such as MPO ferrules which support optical fibers in a sequencesuch as in a row. It will be appreciated that multi-fiber ferrules cansupport different numbers of optical fibers such as two fibers, fourfibers, eight fibers, twelve fibers, twenty-four fibers, thirty-sixfibers, forty-eight fibers or more fibers. In certain examples, theoptical fibers can be arranged sequentially one row, two rows or morethan two rows. In other examples, ferrule-less demateable fiber opticconnection structures can be used. Example ferrule-less demateable fiberoptic connection locations are disclosed by PCT Publication No. WO2016/043922, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Aspects of the present disclosure also relate to using indexingcomponents to extend a fiber optic network outwardly from afield-installed factory manufactured break-out cable. A typical indexingcomponent includes first and second demateable multi-fiber connectionlocations. Each of the demateable multi-fiber connection locations caninclude a plurality of optical fiber positions arranged in a sequence.In a preferred example, the optical fibers at the demateable fiber opticconnection locations are retained in a particular fiber positionsequence by a ferrule. In certain examples, the ferrule can include atwo-fiber ferrule, an eight-fiber ferule, a twelve fiber MPO ferrule, atwenty-four fiber ferrule or other ferrules. While ferrules arepreferred, ferrule-less systems are also contemplated. Within theindexing component, indexing optical fibers are routed from the firstdemateable multi-fiber connection location to the second demateablemulti-fiber connection location in an indexed configuration. The indexedoptical fibers are indexed such that first ends of the optical fibers atthe first demateable multi-fiber connection location are at differentsequential fiber positions compared to second ends of the optical fibersat the second demateable multi-fiber connection location. Within theindexing component one or more of the sequential fiber positions of thefirst multi-fiber demateable fiber optic location are not opticallyconnected to any of the sequential fiber positions of the seconddemateable multi-fiber fiber optic connection location, but instead areoptically connected to one or more drop locations by one or more dropoptical fibers. The one or more drop locations can each includedemateable fiber optic connections for interfacing with additionalcables (e.g., drop cables) and components (e.g., terminals such asmulti-service terminals, splitter terminals, wavelength divisionmulit-plexer (WDM) terminals, etc.). Similarly, one or more of thesequential fiber positions of the second demateable multi-fiberconnection location are not optically connected to any of the sequentialfiber positions of the first demateable multi-fiber connection location,but instead are optically coupled to one or more one or more droplocations by one or more drop optical fibers. The one or more droplocations can each include demateable fiber optic connections forinterfacing with additional cables (e.g., drop cables) and components(e.g., terminals such as multi-service terminals, splitter terminals,wavelength division mulit-plexer (WDM) terminals, etc.).

The drop fiber or fibers routed from the first demateable multi-fiberconnection location can be referred to as forward drop fiber or forwarddrop fibers and the drop fiber or fibers routed from the seconddemateable multi-fiber connection location can be referred to as areverse drop fiber or reverse drop fibers. It will be appreciated thatit is preferred to include forward and reverse drop route fibers, but incertain examples only a forward drop fiber or only a reverse drop fibermay be provided. In certain examples, the forward and/or reverse dropfibers can be routed to single-fiber demateable connection locations. Inother examples, where a plurality of forward and/or reverse drop fibersare provided, the drop fibers can be routed to multi-fiber demateablefiber optic connection locations or to a plurality of separatesingle-fiber demateable fiber optic connection locations. In still otherexamples, forward and/or reverse drop optical fibers can be routed tooptical splitters that split the optical liners into a plurality ofoptical lines that can be routed to individual demateable fiber opticconnection locations or to one or more multi-fiber demateable fiberoptic connection locations. The demateable fiber optic connectionlocations can be ruggedized or non-ruggedized. Additionally, thedemateable fiber optic connection locations can be provided as male orfemale fiber optical connectors terminating the end of tether cables, oras demateable fiber optic connection locations incorporated within portsof a terminal housing adapted for receiving fiber optic connectors.Example configurations for ruggedized single-fiber fiber opticports/adapters as well as ruggedized single-fiber fiber optic connectorsare disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 7,744,288, which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety. Example multi-fiber connection locationswith hardened multi-fiber fiber optic connectors are disclosed byInternational Application No. PCT/US2014/039377, which is herebyincorporated by reference. Example indexing configurations and indexingcomponents are disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 9,348,096, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

Indexing components in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure can include housings defining fiber optic connection portsincorporating demateable single fiber and/or multi-fiber connectionlocations. In other examples, indexing components in accordance withprinciples of the present disclosure can include more cable-basedconstructions having fan-outs configured to fan out optical fibers froma main cable to a plurality of cables or tethers with the cables beingterminated at their ends by male or female demateable multi-fiberconnection locations.

FIG. 1 illustrates a fiber optic network architecture 20 in accordancewith the principles of the present disclosure. The fiber optic networkarchitecture 20 includes a plurality of fiber distribution components 22a-22 f daisy chained together to form a chain of fiber distributioncomponents. The chain of fiber distribution components can include afirst set of optical fiber paths 24 that are indexed along a length ofthe chain and a second set of optical fiber paths 26 that are notindexed along a length of the chain. In certain examples, first andsecond sets of optical fiber paths each include 12 optical fiber paths.In certain examples, the first set of optical fiber paths is indexed ina forward direction and a reverse direction. In certain examples, thefirst set of optical fiber paths includes forward drop locations 28dropped from the forward direction and reverse drop locations 30 droppedfrom the reverse direction. Terminals such as splitter terminals 32 areshown coupled to the forward drop locations 28. The splitter terminals32 can include a passive optical power splitters 34 that splits opticalsignals and route such optical signals to ruggedized demateable fiberoptic connection locations 36. An example splitter terminal 32 is shownat FIG. 8.

FIG. 7 shows an example fiber distribution component 22 a that can beused to form the chain of fiber distribution components. It will beappreciated that the fiber distribution components 22 a-22 f can havethe same basic configuration except for the number of optical fibersdropped in the forward direction to forward drop locations 28. It willbe appreciated that the forward and reverse drop locations 28, 30 caneach include ruggedized demateable fiber optic connection locationswhich may be single fiber connection locations or multi-fiber connectionlocations.

Referring to FIG. 7, the distribution component 22 a includes a firstmulti-fiber demateable fiber optic connection location 40 including afirst plurality of sequential fiber positions and a second multi-fiberdemateable fiber optic connection location 42 including a secondplurality of sequential fiber positions. In one example, the first andsecond multi-fiber demateable fiber optic connection locations can beformed by ruggedized multi-fiber optic connectors mounted at the ends oftethers 44, 46 directed outwardly from a fanout 48. A main cable 50 canbe routed from the fanout 48 to a terminal housing 52. The terminalhousing 52 can include a third multi-fiber demateable fiber opticconnection location 54 including a third plurality of sequential fiberpositions and a fourth multi-fiber demateable fiber optic connectionlocation 56 including a fourth plurality of sequential fiber positions.The third and fourth multi-fiber demateable fiber optic connectionlocations 54, 56 can be provided as ruggedized fiber optic adapters orports provided on the terminal housing 52. A plurality of indexingfibers 58 are indexed between the sequential fiber positions of thefirst and third multi-fiber demateable fiber optic connection locations40, 54. The indexing fibers 58 can be routed from the first multi-fiberdemateable fiber optic connection location 40 through the first tether44 and the main cable 50 to the terminal housing 52. Within the terminalhousing 52, the indexing fibers 58 can be routed to the thirdmulti-fiber demateable fiber optic connection location 54 in an indexedconfiguration which shifts the sequential fiber positions as compartedto at the first connection location 40.

The fiber distribution component 22 a can also include a plurality ofnon-indexing fibers 60 routed between the sequential fiber positions ofthe second multi-fiber demateable fiber optic connection location 42 andthe fourth multi-fiber demateable fiber optic connection location 56.The non-indexing fibers 60 are not indexed so that the fibers remainconnected to the same sequential positions at both the second and fourthmulti-fiber demateable fiber optic connection locations 42, 56. Thenon-indexing fibers 60 can be routed from the second multi-fiberdemateable fiber optic connection location 42 through the second tether46 and the main cable 50 to the terminal housing 52. Within the terminalhousing, the non-indexing fibers 60 are routed to the fourth multi-fiberdemateable fiber optic connection location 56.

The fiber distribution component 22 a also includes at least one forwarddrop location 28 optically coupled to at least one of the firstsequential fiber positions of the first multi-fiber demateable fiberoptic connection location 40 by forward drop fibers 53. The forward droplocations 28 of FIG. 7 are shown as four separate single fiberdemateable fiber optic connection locations. In other examples, othernumbers of forward drop locations can be provided. The forward droplocations can be single fiber drop locations or multi-fiber droplocations. By way of example, the fiber distribution components 22 b, 22d and 22 f each include only one forward drop location 28, the fiberdistribution component 22 c has three forward drop locations 28 and thefiber drop components 22 e has two forward drop locations 28.

The fiber distribution component 22 a also includes a reverse droplocation 30 optically coupled to at least one of the sequential fiberpositions of the third multi-fiber demateable fiber optic connectionlocation 54 by reverse drop fibers 55. As depicted, the reverse droplocation 30 is provided by a multi-fiber demateable fiber opticconnection location and four optical fibers 55 are shown dropped in thereverse direction. In other examples, more or fewer than four opticalfibers may be dropped. In other examples, the reverse drop locations 30may include one or more single fiber demateable fiber optic connectionlocations.

In the daisy chain of FIG. 1, the first demateable multi-fiberconnection location 40 of a given one of the fiber distributioncomponents 22 couples to the third demateable multi-fiber fiber opticconnection location 54 of the immediately upstream one of the fiberdistribution components 22 in the chain, and the second demateablemulti-fiber fiber optic connection location 42 of the given fiberdistribution component 22 couples to the fourth demateable multi-fiberfiber optic connection location 56 of the immediately upstream fiberdistribution component 22 in the chain. In this way, the fiberdistribution components 22 a-22 f are daisy chained together with theindexed fiber optic pathways passing through the first and thirddemateable multi-fiber fiber optic connection locations 40, 54 and thenon-indexed fiber optic pathways passing through the second and fourthdemateable multi-fiber fiber optic connection locations 42, 56.

FIG. 2 shows an indexing terminal 70 coupled to the second set ofnon-indexed optical fiber paths 26. The indexing terminal 70 is showncoupled to the fiber distribution component 22 c. As shown at FIG. 9,the indexing terminal 70 includes a first demateable multi-fiber fiberoptic connection location 72, a second demateable multi-fiber fiberoptic connection location 74, and a third demateable multi-fiber fiberoptic connection location 76. Indexing fibers 78 couple positions 5-12of the first demateable multi-fiber fiber optic connection location 72to positions 1-8 of the second demateable multi-fiber fiber opticconnection location 74. Drop fibers 80 optically couple positions 1-4 ofthe first demateable multi-fiber fiber optic connection location 72 tothe third demateable multi-fiber fiber optic connection location 76.

When the indexing terminal 70 is integrated with the fiber optic networkarchitecture 20, the first demateable multi-fiber fiber optic connectionlocation 72 couples to the fourth demateable multi-fiber fiber opticconnection location 56 of one of the distribution components 22, and thesecond demateable multi-fiber fiber optic connection location 42 of animmediately downstream one of the fiber distributions components 22couples to the second demateable multi-fiber fiber optic connectionlocation 74 of the indexing terminal 70.

FIG. 3 shows an example where two of the indexing terminals 70 have beenintegrated with the fiber optic network architecture 20 to providefurther fiber optic connection locations.

FIG. 4 shows an example where unique or customized terminals 90 a-90 care integrated with the fiber optic network architecture 20. Theterminals 90 a-90 c do not include indexing functionality. Each of theterminals is adapted to access or select a certain set of thenon-indexed set of optical fibers that run through the chain of fiberdistribution components. Terminal 90 a provides access to fibers 1-4,terminal 90 b provides access to fibers 5-8, and terminal 90 c providesaccess to fibers 9-12. The un-accessed fibers are passed on through thedaisy chain without being indexed. For example, in terminal 90 a, fibers5-12 are passed on. In terminal 90 b, fibers 1-4 and 9-12 are passed on.For terminal 90 c, fibers 1-8 are passed on. In the terminals 90 a-90 c,a first demateable multi-fiber fiber optic connection location 92 cancouple to the fourth demateable multi-fiber fiber optic connectionlocation 56 of a corresponding one of the fiber distribution components22, and a second demateable multi-fiber fiber optic connection location94 can be optically coupled to the second demateable multi-fiber fiberoptic connection location 42 of a fiber distribution component 22located immediately downstream in the chain. Fibers 95 are non-indexingfibers and extend between the connection locations 92, 94 withoutaltering the fiber sequencing. Thus, fibers 95 are positioned at thesame sequential positions at each of the connection locations 92, 94.Drop fibers 97 are routed from certain sequential fiber positions of thefirst connection location 92 to a demateable drop connection location99.

FIG. 5 is an example of the fiber optic network architecture 20 of FIG.1 with three of the indexing terminals 70 integrated with the networkarchitecture. In the example of FIG. 5, if terminal 70 a is added afterterminals 70 b, 70 c, a signal loss will occur at terminals 70 b, 70 cat the time terminal 70 a is installed.

FIG. 6 shows an example where a loop-back device 100 is used toloop-back signals from the non-indexed optical fiber paths (e.g.,corresponding to connection location 42, 56 to the reverse indexedfibers (corresponding to drop locations 30) so that a signal can beprovided to the indexing terminal 70 a without interrupting service toterminals 70 b and 70 c. In the example of FIG. 6, the terminal 70 a iscoupled to the reverse drop location 30 of the fiber distributioncomponent 22 a. The loop-back device 100 can have patching capability asshown at FIG. 13. For example, the device 100 can include fiber opticadapters 101 (for mechanically and optically coupling two fiber opticconnectors) that may be arranged in a patch panel or other arrangementso that unused optical fibers corresponding to the non-indexed opticalfibers of the chain of fiber distribution components can be opticallyconnected to specific reverse drop locations 30 in the chain.Connectorized patch cables 103 can be used to provide optical couplingto selected reverse optical paths.

The loop-back device 100 can include a first demateable multi-fiberfiber optic connection location 100 that optically connects to thesecond demateable multi-fiber fiber optic connection location 74 of theindexing terminal 70 c and a second demateable multi-fiber fiber opticconnection location 104 that optically connects to the third demateablemulti-fiber fiber optic connection location 54 of the fiber distributioncomponent 22 f. The first connection location 72 of the indexingterminal 70 c couples to the connection location 56 of the distributionterminal 22 f. By optically coupling signal paths from the connectionlocation 56 of the component 22 f to positions 1-4 of the connectionlocation 104 (and thus positions 1-4 of the connection location 54) viaa loopback device, the accessed signal paths are connected to the fourreverse drop fibers 55 of the component 22 a. By optically couplingsignal paths from the connection location 56 of the component 22 f topositions 5-8 of the connection location 104 (and thus positions 5-8 ofthe connection location 54), the accessed signal paths are connected tothe reverse drop locations 30 of the components 22 b and 22 c. Byoptically coupling signal paths from the connection location 56 of thecomponent 22 f to positions 9-12 of the connection location 104 (andthus positions 9-12 of the connection location 540, the accessed signalpaths are connected to the reverse drop locations 30 of the components22 d, 22 e and 22 f Thus, the patch cords and patching arrangementallows the reverse drop output location to be specifically selected.

FIGS. 14-17 show other loop-back configurations that allow differentfiber positions to be looped back to the reversed indexed fibers. Theloop back configurations include patch cables 200 a-200 d havingdifferent fiber position switching arrangements. The cables 200 a-200 dcan be coupled between the connection location 74 of the terminal 70 cand the connection location 54 of the component 22 f. The cables eachprovide a different sequential fiber position shift between oppositeconnectorized ends of the patch cables. By selecting the cable with thesuitable fiber shift arrangement and by connecting the selected cablebetween the connection locations 74, 54, desired reverse drop locationscan be activated (e.g., provide with live signals) based on the fibershift arrangement selected. Cables having fiber shifts other than thosedepicted can also be used.

Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeand spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that thescope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrativeexamples set forth herein.

1. A fiber optic network comprising: a plurality of fiber distributioncomponents daisy chained together to form a chain of fiber distributioncomponents, the chain of fiber distribution components having a firstset of optical fiber paths that are indexed along a length of the chainand a second set of optical fiber paths that are not indexed along alength of the chain.
 2. The fiber optic network of claim 1, wherein thefirst and second sets of fiber paths each include 12 fiber paths.
 3. Thefiber optic network of claim 1, wherein the first set of fiber paths isindexed in a forward direction and a reverse direction, wherein thefirst set of fiber paths includes forward drop locations dropped fromthe forward direction and reverse drop locations dropped from thereverse direction, and wherein a loop-back device is used to opticallyconnect optical fiber paths from the second set of optical fiber path tothe reverse drop locations.
 4. The fiber optic network of claim 3,wherein the loop-back device includes patching capabilities for couplingthe optical fiber paths from the second set of optical fiber paths toselected ones of the reverse drop locations.
 5. The fiber optic networkof claim 3, further comprising a plurality of terminals each coupled tothe forward drop location of one of the fiber distribution components.6. The fiber optic network of claim 5, wherein each terminal houses apassive optical splitter that splits optical signals received from therespective forward drop location and routes such split optical signalsto ruggedized demateable fiber optic connection locations.
 7. The fiberoptic network of claim 3, wherein the forward and reverse drop locationseach include ruggedized demateable fiber optic connection locations. 8.The fiber optic network of claim 3, wherein at least one of the forwarddrop locations is a single fiber connection location.
 9. The fiber opticnetwork of claim 3, wherein at least one of the forward drop locationsis a multi-fiber connection location.
 10. The fiber optic network ofclaim 1, wherein each fiber distribution component includes a pluralityof indexing fibers indexed between multi-fiber demateable fiber opticconnection locations.
 11. The fiber optic network of claim 1, whereineach fiber distribution component also includes plurality ofnon-indexing fibers routed between other multi-fiber demateable fiberoptic connection locations.
 12. A fiber distribution componentcomprising: a first multi-fiber demateable fiber optic connectionlocation including a first plurality of sequential fiber positions; asecond multi-fiber demateable fiber optic connection location includinga second plurality of sequential fiber positions; a third multi-fiberdemateable fiber optic connection location including a third pluralityof sequential fiber positions; a fourth multi-fiber demateable fiberoptic connection location including a fourth plurality of sequentialfiber positions; a plurality of indexing fibers indexed between thefirst and third pluralities of sequential fiber positions; and aplurality of non-indexing fibers routed between the second and fourthpluralities of sequential fiber positions; and at least one of thesequential fiber positions of the first plurality of sequential fiberpositions being optically coupled to a drop location of the indexingcomponent, the drop location including a demateable fiber opticconnection interface.
 13. The distribution device of claim 12, furthercomprising at least one of the third sequential fiber positions beingrouted to a demateable reverse drop location.
 14. The distributiondevice of claim 13, wherein the demateable reverse drop location isprovided by a multi-fiber demateable fiber optic connection location.15. The distribution device of claim 13, wherein the demateable reversedrop location is provided by one or more single-fiber demateable fiberoptic connection locations.
 16. The distribution device of claim 12,wherein the first and second demateable fiber optic connection locationsare respectively provided at the end of first and second tethers routedfrom a cable fan-out, wherein the third and fourth demateable fiberoptic connection locations are provided on a terminal, wherein the droplocation is provided at the terminal, and wherein a main cable is routedfrom the cable fan-out to the terminal.
 17. The distribution device ofclaim 16, wherein the first and second multi-fiber demateable fiberoptic connection locations are formed by ruggedized multi-fiber opticconnectors mounted at the ends of the first and second tethers.
 18. Thedistribution device of claim 16, wherein the third and fourthmulti-fiber demateable fiber optic connection locations includeruggedized fiber optic adapter ports provided on a housing of theterminal
 19. The distribution device of claim 12, wherein the droplocation is one of a plurality of forward drop locations, each forwarddrop location being optically coupled to a respective one of thesequential fiber positions of the first plurality of sequential fiberpositions.
 20. The distribution device of claim 19, wherein each forwarddrop location including a respective demateable fiber optic connectioninterface.